Control unit for line casting and composing machines



Nam 37,, 11936,

R. A. THIENEMANN CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed Sept. 15, 1932 Y W M f N E WW 4 y 0 Q Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Rolf A. Thienemann,

Chicago, 111., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application September 15, 1932, Serial No. 633,248

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to linecasting and composing machines and more particularly to automatic control units therefor.

One object of the present invention is to provide an automatic control unit for linecasting machines in which a plurality of individually selectable elements are permitted to be instantaneously moved into operative position following their selection.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in an automatic control unit for linecasting machines means therein for quickly and conveniently regulating and adjusting the timing relationship between the respective mechanisms.

The present invention is particularly adapted to a control unit such as is illustrated and described in copending application Serial No. 600,606, and which comprises generally a unitary structure applicable to standard linecasting and. composing machines. In accordance with such a device a set of selectable elements alternately and oppositely arranged are spring urged toward each other into selected position and are periodically restrained from assuming this position by the cyclic interposition of a rotatable spreader shaft. The selectable elements are generally restrained from movement into their selective position also by the interposition of a set of code bars which are variably positioned in accordance with the perforations of a control form and are so designed that for each combination of positions they afford a clearance'to a certain one of the selectable elements. After each setting of the several selectors, the spreader shaft is rotated so as to clear the elements and permit the selected one to move into the clearance and assume its selected or operating position while the remainder of the elements continue to be blocked by the selectors.

The speed of rotation of the spreader shaft is dependent upon the selective action of the other parts of the mechanism which speed, however, is sufficiently slow to permit the aforementioned movement of a selected element once a clearance has been established for it. Therefore, in order to speed up the response on the part of the selected elements, the structure hereby disclosed embodies a design in selectable elements wherein certain portions next adjacent the surfaces thereof which are tangential to the spreader shaft or cam are cut away so that upon a slight angular movement of the spreader cam shaft, the selectable elements, by reason of the clearance thus afforded, are permitted to drop at once into operative position instead of having to abide the complete angular movement on the part of the cam shaft for circumferentially clearing the cam surfaces thereof.

The unit is controlled by means of a tape or ribbon having transverse perforations variously impressed therein representing characters or digits of communicated intelligence. The tape is advanced through a record reader mechanism in a step-by-step manner and during the short interval between its successive movements a set of feeler levers is adapted to sense the particular combination of perforations in each transverse row. A set of transfer levers relays the setting of the feeler levers to a corresponding set of code bars disposed between the aforementioned oppositely aligned selectable bars. Thereafter the several bars are permitted to approach the aforementioned code bars whereupon a certain one of said bars is selected for operation as described above.

The operation of the control unit mechanism generally is fully described in the above mentioned copending application and reference may be had thereto for a comprehensive disclosure of the complete unit mechanism and its details of operation.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters designate similar parts throughout:

Fig. l is a perspective view with parts broken away of a control unit such as forms the subject matter of the aforementioned copending application showing the structure of present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the record reader driving shaft illustrating the spreader cam driving pinion partially in section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail sectional view illustrating the selectable elements with one of them in selected position.

For convenience in description, mention will be made of the linecasting machine as the principal machine, the manual control mechanism as the keyboard, and the automatic control mechanism as the unit. The keyboard H is provided with a plurality of manually operable keylevers l2 arranged in horizontal rows, each row of which is pivoted on a common shaft 63 journalled in the side frames of the principal machine. Each keylever I2 is equipped at its far end with a projection l4 that fits into a cooperating notch l5 of a push bar It supported in the principal machine to be moved vertically for releasing a corresponding matrix during the composing operations. The keylevers l2 are also provided with depending projections l1 against which are adapted to encounter individual bellcrank members l8 pivoted on a shaft l9 and normally urged away from engagement with their corresponding keylever projections H by individual springs 21.

Each bellcrank member l8 has a depending arm 22 disposed in front of one of a plurality of selectable elements 23 which are alternately and oppositely positioned forming two horizontal alignments sufficiently spaced apart from each other to admit therebetween of a set of code bars 24 and a spreader shaft 25. The code bars 24 are provided with variously spaced notches 26 systematically arranged so that for each possible position of the several bars a single transverse alignment of notches 26 is afforded subjacent one of the selectable elements 23. The elements 23 are each urged in a direction to engage the spreader cam 25 by individually associated spring elements 6|.

After an element 23 is admitted into selective position cam shaft 25 rotating in a counterclockwise direction in timed relation with selecting mechanism moves from the position illustrated in Fig. 1 until it reaches a position approximately as illustrated in Fig. 3 whereat its earns 28 come into registration with notches 29 formed in the foremost portions 3| of the elements 23. At this instant the cams 28 no longer continue to separate the elements 23 but permit them to approach each other slightly until they are thereafter further restrained by one or another of the several code bars 24. Since, however, for each of the positionments of the several code bars a transverse row of notches 26 is afforded to one of the selectable elements 23, that particular element not being obstructed continues into the clearance afforded by the particular alignment of notches 26 until it assumes a position as illustrated by the lower element 23 of Fig. 3. After arriving at this position the selected element 23 presents a shouldered portion 33 into the path of a horizontally reciprocating bar 34. This bar 34 receives a constant intermittent movement under the influence of actuating cams (not shown) but located preferably at the extremities of cam shaft 25. The motion of bar 34 is imparted to the selected element 23 driving it leftwardly as viewed in Fig. 3 until it engages the depending arm 22 of an associated bellcrank |8 rotating the latter member clockwise which thereupon, through the medium of its other arm, 32, depresses the contiguous depending portion 11 of a keylever l2.

In this manner a particular keylever I2 is actuated automatically in accordance with the positionment of the several code bars 24 through the medium of a particular selectable element 23 which may be located either above or below the set of code bars, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 1 the unit is provided with a central driving train originating with a constantly rotating shaft 35 driven by pulley 36 and belt 31 from the intermediate shaft of the principal machine. Driven from shaft 35 through gear 38 is a shaft 39 which will be referred to hereinafter as the record reader operating shaft. Three cams 4|, 42, and 43 secured to this shaft 39 serve to actuate the record reader mechanism generally indicated 44, as more fully described in the aforementioned application. In addition a collar 45 preferably secured to shaft 39 by set screw 46 is provided at one end thereof with fine radial serrations 41 which cooperate with similar serrations formed upon one end of a pinion 48 which is urged against collar 45.

Cam shaft 39 at the opposite end thereof is provided with a threaded portion 49 (Fig. 2) over which there passes a collar 5| followed by a hexagonal nut 52 and another nut 53 which serves to lock the assembly in place through screw engagement wtih the threaded portion 49, forcing and maintaining pinion 48 securely against collar 45. By unscrewing nuts 52 and 53 and withdrawing collar 5| which passes loosely over the threaded portion 49, pinion 48 may be withdrawn sufiicient- 1y to permit of its radial adjustment with respect to the cam shaft 39 and the serrated collar 45. This construction is advantageous both in the original assembling as well as during the course of periodic dismantling and overhauling, since it permits of the proper relative positioning of cam shaft 39 to spreader shaft 25 after which the pinion 48 may be brought into its natural position, which it is free to take in accordance with the driven pinion 54 secured to spreader shaft 25. The serrations of pinion 48 are then brought into engagement with those of collar 41 after which lock nuts 52 and 53 are drawn up. Thus the phase relationship between the two shafts is accurately and quickly established and securely maintained by reason of the fine but positive grip of the serrations 41.

When finally adjusting the angular relationship between the driving shaft 39 and driven shaft 25, the two shafts may be brought into their respective zero positions or any other known positions from which the relative condition of one shaft may be conveniently determined with respect to the other. Gear 54 may first be secured to shaft 25, following which the pinion 48, being free to rotate as well as to move longitudinally upon shaft 39, is slid into position for meshing with gear 54. Following this, sleeve 5| and lock nuts 52 and 53 may be drawn up on the one side and collar 45 moved into position on the other side of pinion 48. The collar 45 being also free to rotate upon shaft 39, it may be brought into position so as to afford ready access to the set screw 46 after its teeth are fitted into the cooperating teeth of pinion 48.

To better understand the performance of the present invention the operation of the selector mechanism and its associated driving train will now be cursorily reviewed.

Shaft 35 is constantly rotated by reason of its belt and pulley engagement with the intermediate shaft of the principal machine. Of two driving gears carried upon it, one 38, concerns the pres ent invention insofar as it functions to rotate record reader cam shaft 39. This shaft is intercontrolled by a periodically operating mechanism so that it is rotated for certain periods of time coincident with line composition. During its performance shaft 39 through the medium of the three cams 4|, 42, and 43 carried upon it actuates the several elements of the record reader mechanism 44, which serves to sense the perforations of the tape and advance it intermittently. As any particular combination of perforations is read from the tape by the record reader it is relayed to the code bars 24 by a set of transfer levers, after which a particular one of the selectable elements 23 is permitted to drop into its alignment of notches 26 as described above. Thus it will be understood that the operation of the record reader mechanism 44 and that of the selecting mechanism, viz., the spreader cam shaft 25 and the common actuating bar 34, are significantly associated, so that to achieve the maximum efficiency in operation it is most desirable to cause a performing element 23 to function as closely as possible to the reception of its allotted selecting signal on the perforated tape.

So, by permitting of minute but positive regulation of the driving pinion 48 with respect to the cam shaft 39, the performance of the selecting mechanism may be made to follow its selection as quickly as the physical limitations of the machine will permit. Also, in order to accelerate the selective action on the part of the individual selecting elements 23, the notches 29 in cooperation with the longitudinal cams 28 tend further towards cutting down the overall time necessary for each selection.

As soon as the code combination is transferred to the code bars 24 by one of the cams on shaft 39 particularly delegated to this function spreader shaft 25 comes into the position indicated in Fig. 3 allowing the selected element 23 to fall into its alignment of notches. After this is accomplished the common actuator 34 engaging the shoulder 33 of the element 23 thus selected moves it bodily forward rotating bellcrank 18 which in turn depresses a particular key lever l2 and performs a corresponding composing operation. This performance is repeated until a predetermined line of matrices has been accumulated after which other mechanism comes into operation momentarily arresting record reader shaft 39.

Though the present invention has been described with reference to a particular structure it is to be understood that numerous modifications and variations may be made within the scope or spirit of the present invention. It is therefore not intended to be limited by the particular description in the foregoing specifications nor to the illustrations set forth in the accompanying drawing but to be permitted a latitude of interpretation in accordance with the hereinafter appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a line composing machine, an automatic selector including a plurality of function bars, a plurality of selectable bars each associated with one of said function bars, a set of selector bars adapted by permutable arrangement to condition said selectable bars individually so as to permit their presentment into actuating position, a rotatable cam shaft having an abrupt receding cam surface longitudinally thereof and disposed to engage said selectable bars for normally withholding them, and cooperating portions of said selectable bars provided with notches so as to permit the instantaneous selective movement of said bars by the passing of said cam surface thereinto.

2. In a line composing machine, an automatic control unit including a plurality of individually selectable bars, a shaft rotatable transversely of said bars having thereon an upstanding longitudinal cam projection, and a portion of said bars adjacent said cam cut away so as to permit the rapid approach of said bars when upon the continued rotation of said shaft said projection comes into registration therewith.

3. In a line composing machine, an automatic control unit including a plurality of actuator bars disposed in two opposing alignments, a spreader rotatable transversely with respect to said bars and intermediate said alignments, means for normally urging said bars toward said spreader into operating position, longitudinal cam projections on said spreader for withholding said bars against the influence of said means, and portions of said bars adapted to contact said cam projections and having adjacent notches into which said projections are received upon the continued rotation of said spreader.

4. In a line composing machine, an automatic control unit including a plurality of function bars, a set of selectors variously positioned to select individually said bars into operating position, a rotatable spreader for withdrawing said bars, and portions on said bars cooperating with said spreader and having recesses located slightly in advance of their tangential points on said spreader whereby the selective movement of said bars is accelerated.

5. In a selecting mechanism, a plurality of parallelly disposed selectable elements, a cam rotatable transversely of said elements for cyclically reciprocating them during automatic selective action, and portions of said elements contacting said cam and having notches therein in advance of the tangential point of contact with said cam for accelerating the descending motion of said elements.

6. In a selecting mechanism, a rotatable spreader cam shaft, elements tangentially disposed with respect to and urged into selective position toward said shaft, and portions of said elements contacting the periphery of said shaft and having notches therein in advance of the cam of said shaft and. into which it is adapted to pass for thereby accelerating the selective movement of said elements.

7. In a selecting mechanism, a plurality of elements from which one is to be selected, means for affording selective clearance to said elements individually, restoring means active upon all of said elements for returning the selected ones and having abrupt disengagement with said elements for affording an instantaneous clearance to the succeeding one to be selected.

8. In a selecting device, a plurality of elements to be individually and selectively conditioned, a cyclically operative means for restraining the selective movement of said elements until a predetermined instant in each operative cycle, and means. to promote the instantaneous movement of a selected element at the predetermined instant.

9. In a rotatable driving mechanism, means for obtaining a primary and a secondary adjustment in the synchronous relationship of a pair of operative elements including a pair of gears having helical teeth, an anchor member upon one of said elements, and means including one of said pair of gears for varying the radial and longitudinal positionment of one of said gears including said anchor member.

10. In an automatic control unit for linecasting and composing machines, a main drive shaft, a tributary drive shaft, a pair of gear elements through which said tributary drive shaft is driven from said main drive shaft, a spreader cam shaft operated by and in timed sequence to said tributary drive shaft, and a driving connection for regulating the timing relationship between said tributary drive shaft and said spreader cam shaft including a spiral gear associated with said tributary shaft, means carried by said tributary shaft for adjustably securing said gear longitudinally and radially upon said shaft including a member anchored to said shaft, interlocking teeth on said gear and on said anchor member, and threaded securing means for urging and binding said gear longitudinally in engagement with said anchor member.

11. In a permutation selector mechanism having a spreader cam shaft, a selectable actuating bar comprising a body of flat stock material, a portion of said body affording an edgewise surface to cooperate with said spreader cam shaft, and a shouldered portion formed by the provision of a notch following immediately said edgewise surface.

ROLF A. THIENEMANN.

DISCLAIM ER 2,060,838.R0lf A. Thienemann, Chicago, Ill. CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES. Patent dated November 17, 1936. Disclaimer filed January 25, 1939, by the assignee, Teletypesetter Corporation. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claim 8 in said specification.

[Ofiicial Gazette February 21, 1939.] 

